Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-12-30

disobedient to his parents. If his father
asked him not to do something that dis
pleased him, the boy would do it exactly the
same providing he chose to do so, as though
his father had said nothing to him. He was
not bad boy at heart; but he was needless
and easily led by his Companions, who for
the most part, were older than himself He
was merry, rollicl,ing follow and WAS
always into mischief that nine out of ten
boys would shun as too risky.
"On Christmas day, when he was eleven
years old, his father gave him nice pair
Of bright, new, shiny skates-a present the
boy had long pleaded for, and which gave
him exquisite delight through their posses
sion. Now, his father gave them to him
with the admonition not 10 put them on or
90 to the river with them unless he was
with him. But the skates We're too great
temptation for the boy to stand, and, rs
he watched his companions go by his house
with their skates and thought of the fun
he was missing, he was tempted to disobey
his fathers commands and slip away HIM
self So, when he was asked by an older
boy why he did not 90 with the rest of
them, he said his father had requested him
not to 60 unless he was with him. His COM
panion tempted him and said his father
would not find it out. And so the boy
slipped into the house and got his skates
and went away to try them without his ia
theirs knowledge. But God tormented the
boy while he was skating, and made him
feel that he was doing very wrong ia DISC
beying his parent, and that it was q poor
way to show his appreciation OF the Christ
mas gift.
''He did not enjoy himself; he felt exceed
ingly uncomfortable. When night came he
did not dare to go home, and he remained
out so late that his father started to hunt
for him The afternoon had been warm and
the ice near the channel had broken into
small cakes that f1oated down the stream
with the tide At the time the boys father
was hunting for him, he was following the
lead Of some reckless companions in jump
ing from cne f1oeto another He heard his
fathers voice calling him from the shore
and started TO meet him. In his excite
ment he missed bis footing and disappeared
beneath the ice His father soon reached
the spot and rescued his son: but, rs he put
his boy on an ice-cake, another heavy sheet
Of ice cut the boy in the knee and caused
his father to lose his hold on the ice and
sink back in the water"
A half-stifcd sob from Mrs. Tcmplcton in
terrupted Uncle Eph's story and her chill
dren saw that she was wcepug.
"He never rose again." continued Uncle
Eph, in tremulous tones after short pause
"Did-did that boy have have his leg cut
off.'' asked Frank, in hesitating manner,
as he quietly placed his hand on his uncle's
knee above the wooden stump.
''Yes," replied his uncle, in Il husky voice.
'sDon't tell any more, Uncle. know now
why mamma did not want ne to have the
skates" said Pearl, and she wound her
little arms around his neck while he gave
vent to the tears he had choked down until
| he had finished.
Don't cry, uncle, am going to buy you a
new cane with the money l do not want
! the skates now.'
| so Pearl went without her skates and
| Uncle Eph had cane thai the wealth of
| the Indies could not purchase from him
| for it IL the silent testimonial of little
! PEARLS sympathy toward his lonely heart
and her self-denial in giving up her Christ
mas skates. BuIT ARNOLD.